Robert De Niro calls Trump a ‘lunatic’ over coronavirus response: ‘He doesn’t care how many people die’

Actor relaunched his criticism of Trump in an interview about the US president’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic

Robert De Niro has branded Donald Trump a “lunatic” in response to the way the US president is handling the coronavirus pandemic.

The Hollywood star and activist, who has been one of the most vocal celebrity critics of Trump since before he was elected in 2016, appeared on BBC Newsnight where he was asked for his views on the ongoing battle against Covid-19.

Asked by host Emily Maitlis why more scientists weren’t speaking out against Trump’s tactics, De Niro responded: “It’s Shakespearean, the whole thing, you’ve got a lunatic people are trying to dance around. They’re doing it in the hearings a little more, trying to say tactfully that this is what will happen, Fauci is doing that... it’s appalling. [Trump] wants to be re-elected. He doesn’t care how many people die.”

When Maitlis pointed out that Trump had been democratically elected and that his “fanbase” will vote for him again, De Niro said those supporters were “deluding themselves” by believing Trump cared about them.

“He doesn’t care for those people, and the people he pretends to care about are the people he has the most disdain for,” De Niro said.

“He couldn’t care less about them. They might like to tell themselves that, or delude themselves, but he doesn’t care about that.”

Trump has been widely criticised for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, having made it clear he is keen to get the US economy moving again by having the public return to work as soon as possible.

Dr Anthony Fauci, America’s top leading infectious diseases expert, is regarded as a rare voice of caution in a situation where other public figures have made unrealistic predictions about the near future.

Appearing to give testimony before the Senate Health, Labour, Education and Pensions Committee this week, Dr Fauci issued a warning that a rush to reopen businesses and schools could have dire consequences.

“I feel if that occurs, there is a real risk that you will trigger an outbreak that you might not be able to control, which, in fact, paradoxically, will set you back, not only leading to some suffering and death, that could be avoided, but could even set you back on the road to trying to get economic recovery,” he said.

“We would almost turn the clock back, rather than going forward.”